On September 21, 2009, Guinea-Bissau President Malam Bacai Sanha met with visiting Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun in Bissau, capital of Guinea-Bissau.

Sanha said that the peoples of Guinea-Bissau and China are linked by a profound friendship and that over the years the Chinese side has given a great deal of assistance to Guinea-Bissau in its national construction. "The projects built with Chinese assistance, including the hospital and the parliament building, have become the symbols of the friendship between the two countries," the president said. The president reiterated that the government of Guinea-Bissau will continue to adhere to the one-China policy. He hoped that China will continue to support his country in its socio-economic development and enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture, health and infrastructure.

Zhai once again conveyed President Hu Jintao's congratulations to Sanha on his taking office as Guinea-Bissau president. Zhai said his current visit to Guinea-Bissau is aimed at manifesting China's sincere aspiration to attach importance to and further develop bilateral ties. He emphasized that China is ready to work with Guinea-Bissau to keep closer contacts, build up mutual trust, expand cooperation and push forward the friendship cause for the benefit of both peoples.

Zhai arrived in Guinea-Bissau on September 20 for a two-day working visit to the country. Before the meeting with President Sanha, Zhai held talks with Guinea-Bissau's acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defense Artur Silva and met with interim Chairman of Guinea Bissau's Parliament Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo, exchanging views on bilateral friendly cooperation and how to enhance exchanges and cooperation between the two legislative bodies. During the visit, Zhai also paid a special visit to the sites of projects built with Chinese assistance including the government office building and the military hospital and called on Chinese engineers and technicians there.